Student Reflections on Race and Ethnicity Abroad: Hong Kong

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Hi! My name is Russell. I’m a Biomedical Engineering major from West Branch, Iowa. I studied abroad the summer after my freshman year in Hong Kong, at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). My time abroad was undoubtedly the most memorable two months of my life, and I’d like to share some of my experiences with you here.

Before I went abroad, I remember feeling varying combinations of apprehensiveness and enthusiasm. On one hand, I was nervous - this was my first time ever traveling outside of the US, and I knew zero Cantonese. But I also felt a feeling of excitement growing inside of me. Excitement to experience what life is like in a country so different than the U.S., and excitement for all the adventures that I imagined having.

My transition to living in Hong Kong was surprisingly easy. HKUST staff were amazing hosts - they took us on tours through the city, and held events so all the students studying abroad could meet each other. I found making friends was almost effortless since we all started off as confused tourists. My circle of friends quickly expanded to include students from China, Japan, England, Sweden, Denmark, and all around the US.

Over time, I also developed a broader understanding of my personal identity. In that US, sometimes I felt “different” because of my ethnicity (I’m biracial, my mom is from Bangladesh and my dad is white). In Hong Kong, I still felt “different,” but in a totally new way - I was a foreigner in every sense of the word! But my friends and I grew to embrace this, and in turn, we each developed new appreciation for our unique backgrounds.

Looking back, I’ve also realized how much my perspective on Hong Kong has changed. In fact, the city grew on me so much that I now consider it a second home. From making subway trips around the city to eating at hole-in-the-wall dim sum restaurants, I feel a strong connection to this Hong Kong and its people. I learned to find comfort in the bustling city and in the densely forested mountains, and have grown enamored with Hong Kong’s unique culture and history.

Above all, I’ve learned that we’re all a little more similar than we give ourselves credit for. No matter if we hail from the highrises of Hong Kong or the plains of Iowa, everyone has dreams, ideas, families, and stories. Thanks to my time abroad, I’m happy to say that I have a more wholesome appreciation for those similarities. Because of this (and many other reasons), I would highly recommend studying abroad if you ever get the opportunity - you’ll never forget such a magical experience.